Savarkar Sadan, the historic Mumbai residence of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, is facing potential redevelopment. The building, located at Shivaji Park in Dadar, was constructed in 1938 and has hosted landmark meetings, including those with Subhas Chandra Bose and Nathuram Godse. It may soon be demolished to make way for a modern structure, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Several residents have reportedly agreed to redevelopment, citing the deteriorating internal condition of the building, despite its freshly painted exterior. Ownership is split among multiple parties, with Savarkar’s descendants, including 93-year-old Sundar Vishwas Savarkar, still residing on the first floor. Others, including the Kambe and Shah families, own various floors. The Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak Trust owns one room, which houses a mini-museum.
The Trust is negotiating with developers to retain the name “Savarkar Sadan” and gain more space for a museum in the revamped structure. However, some followers and former residents are opposing redevelopment, demanding heritage status for the building. A 2008 petition led to a 2009 BMC recommendation to grant “Grade II A” heritage status, but the proposal remains pending approval from the Maharashtra government.
Concerns persist that if redevelopment proceeds, the building may be lost before it completes 100 years — a requirement for being declared a “monument of national importance”. Activists have urged changes in this rule to preserve historically significant sites like Savarkar Sadan.
Amid talks of merging adjacent plots and developer interest backed by political connections, the future of this symbolic property hangs in the balance. While the Trust confirms discussions, no official proposal has been finalised, and internal divisions among trustees further complicate the path forward.
Source: Hindustan Times
